Curlew at a glance
- Population: 39, the 910th-largest community in Iowa out of 940 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 40 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 2.5% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Iowa places: 910th-largest of 940 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: larger than about 3% of the Census places in Iowa (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 42.9797, -94.7378 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Mallard, IA (4 mi); Ayrshire, IA (6 mi); Plover, IA (9 mi); Emmetsburg, IA (10 mi); Havelock, IA (10 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller towns nearby: Rodman, IA (11 mi); Gillett Grove, IA (15 mi); Jolley, IA (35 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Curlew
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Curlew
The Iowa rate caps and licensing rules that reach Curlew are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Curlew
Run through this list before signing anything in Curlew:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.